Women can excel as chief executive officers in both household and corporate settings, according to a leadership expert from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Sarah Boxall recently led a four-day leadership program in Suva aimed at senior executive women aspiring to corporate roles.
Organized by the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants, the program focused on building confidence, broadening skill sets, understanding business operations, and networking with other senior women in the private sector. Ms. Boxall, an expert in women’s economic empowerment at ADB’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, highlighted the importance of such training in boosting participants’ capacity to succeed in their workplaces.
Institute President Wiliki Takiveikata emphasized that the training provided participants with practical tools for strategic career advancement. He expressed hope that the women would gain strength from the networks established and be inspired by guest speakers’ stories about career transitions and effective participation in board settings.
The training sessions were conducted by Gina Houng-Lee and academic Nacaniela Rika, with participation capped at 25 women from 15 different organizations.
Ms. Boxall noted that Fiji trails behind neighboring island nations in terms of female leadership roles at the corporate level, a situation that impedes the country’s full economic potential. She stressed that the program aims to elevate women to senior executive roles but pointed out challenges such as organizational policies and workplace sexual harassment, as well as legislative and policy-level obstacles.